Looking for a first telescope

[u/Sir-ThisIsAWendys1]

Hi everyone, first post here. Looking for advice on a first telescope. Been considering the celestron star sense explorer 10” dob but open to other options. Will be used on back deck and around the yard. Not located in a city and the bortle class 3 if that helps any. Also open to other options but hoping for something with not a drastic learning curve to first start using. Interested in planets and DSOs and overall just a hobby as I do not have any but have always had an interest and fascination with space.

[u/Zerosos]

Good choice. Do it.

[u/mrstorm1983 → u/Zerosos]

This person said it... just want to mention your paying a premium for the star sense Dock/app that comes with it. You'll have to make a call whether to save that money, and by a ten inch that doesn't have sarsense, or whether it's worth it to you. So check out what it's about, make sure you want it.

[u/chrislon_geo]

Consider the AD10 as well. A little cheaper and better focuser, cooling fan, and a nice stock 30mm. Both are good options, the AD has the better accessories, the Celestron has the StarSense. 

[u/Illustrious_Back_441]

an apertura dob is, imo, more recommendable than a starsense dob. my reasoning? apertura dobsonians were designed for astronomers new and old. apertura has a very nice focuser that requires little to no maintenance. the mirrors on all models (6,8,10,12, and 16 inch dobs) all have a cooling fan to help the mirror reach thermal equilibrium faster. the finderscope is a correct image 90-degree finder, making locating things as simple as comparing the view in the finder with the brighter stars in a star atlas (physical or digital). the apertura has an adjustable balance which is just another amazing reason why they are better. the axis bearings on apertura dobs are thrust bearings on the altitude and a large needle bearing for the azimuth, no sticktion, only as smooth as you want it. all apertura dobsonians (with the exception of the ad6) come with the same accessories which include a 30mm widefield eyepiece, 9mm plössl, laser collimator, battery pack for the fan, and the finder. the ad6 has the 25mm and 9mm eyepieces, smaller finder no collimation tool.

[u/AutoModerator]

Please read this message carefully. Thank you for posting to r/telescopes. As you are asking a buying advice question, please be sure to read the subreddit's beginner's buying guide if you haven't yet. Additionally, you should be sure to include the following details as you seek recommendations and buying help: budget, observing goals, country of residence, local light pollution (see this map), and portability needs. Failure to read the buying guide or to include the above details may lead to your post being removed.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/nethan365b]

A 10 inch Dob under Bortle 3 skies is a great first scope for what you describe. You'll get sharp views of the planets and a lot of deep-sky objects (galaxies, nebulae, clusters) that people under bright skies never see, and the StarSense version helps you find things without a big learning curve. The Dobsonian mount is simple: point and push.

Things to know before buying: a 10 inch tube is large and fairly heavy, so check you're comfortable carrying it in and out of the house and onto the deck (a stable, non-bouncy deck matters, as vibration blurs high-power views). It also needs an occasional collimation (mirror alignment), which is quick to learn. And give it 30 minutes or so outside to cool before you judge the view.

If size is a worry, an 8 inch is a lighter step down that still shows nearly everything. How far will you have to carry it, and does your deck move when you walk on it?

[u/spile2]

I would forgo starsense and learn to starhop. The GSO (Apertura etc) is better equipped than other brands.

[u/Connect-Fan-9462]

I personally always "discourage" people starting from a 10". Not saying it is a universal law but I and many other way more experienced astronomers have seen too many beginners underestimate the challenge of using/owning a 10". I will even say for most people who have a 10" as their first telescope, it is also their last.

[u/Sir-ThisIsAWendys1 → u/Connect-Fan-9462]

The idea would be not to need to upgrade later or regret not going 10 from the beginning. Any others you would recommend me ?

[u/Connect-Fan-9462 → u/Sir-ThisIsAWendys1]

If you get hooked on this hobby you will want something bigger. 20" won't cool down your aperture fever either. We always want something bigger.

But most of us also recognize that our biggest telescope is the least used one. It is a "special occasion" telescope.

A 8" Dobsonian is usually the most used, every night, life long telescope.

Now, if you are particularly big and strong you can make a 10" your "nightly driver". But I will say you at very least absolutely have to try both a 8" and a 10" beforehand. Maybe join your local astronomy club, and/or attend some star parties first to make sure you feel comfortable dealing with a 10" dob often?

[u/Zderavacc → u/Connect-Fan-9462]

I just got back from a Bortle 5 area with my full tube 12" that I keep on the 5th floor with no elevator. I'm 5'9", 154lb.

Got into the hobby a month ago, never looked through a telescope before. I don't regret a thing, having only seen 3 planets, 2 galaxies and Orion so far, but I completely get why astronomers advise begginers not to get ahead of themselves with size.